Hi McMeghan, I came up with a solution. What do you think about modifying the current OU Baton Pass clause into this one:
"A pokemon cannot use the move Baton Pass if its speed stat is higher than +0 (excluding choice scarf)"
My proposal was to implement a new BP Clause that could cover all generations' issues we're currently seeing on tournaments (to be honest I was just concerned about the ones played in Smogon Tour). I thought that with this clause there was no need to retain the other one that was already implemented (no more than 1 BP user per team). The less clauses, the better. I might be wrong, but let's discuss it first.
full bp into espy with boosted defenses no pls
Alright, this concern is understandable and very reasonable because it is actually possible to use a speed-less chain (very match-up reliant, so it would be just worth using against certain players inclined to use very bulky teams without Taunt users. ie it would be suitable for the tour scene for a very specific opponent) so let's talk about a full Baton Pass chain into Espeon without speed boosts in ORAS (BW has less viable BP users, and I think it is not worth talking about DPP). Let us take the standard team from XY as a parameter for our analysis:
Scolipede: would be forced to run Poison Point as its ability. Some people say Scolipede was the main reason why Baton Pass chains were succesful in XY, since it is so easy to set up with Substitute, Protect and Iron Defense. Being able to pass +2 Spe +2 Def even against Prankster users and setting up on Mega Gardevoir and Mega Medicham's faces are notable feats. I must admit that even without Speed Boost it is quite fast, being able to outspeed most threats and getting a fast Iron Defense boost. Assuming it runs max speed, it can be killed by Tornadus-T, Raikou (Specs or AV Extrasensory), Manectric and Special Scarf users (Heatran, Keldeo, etc). However, in the end, it is only passing Iron Defense boosts. I'm not sure how supportive Scolipede would be. As even if it outspeeds a certain threat, it'll either have to tank the opposing Pokemon's attack or BP into the recipient, forcing him to take the attack instead.
Vaporeon: staple on BP Chains, being considered one of the most solid members of the chain thanks to its amazing bulk and for being able to deal with most physical threats with Acid Armor + Roar/Scald. Without speed boosts, and even considering how bulky Vaporeon is after some boosts, it is really slow, so it is very easy to turn it into a Taunt bait. Taunt users are pretty common in OU (Mew, Gengar, Talonflame, Gardevoir, Tornadus-t, Defensive Infernape (rare), Heatran, Gliscor and Skarmory). Vaporeon also loses to strong Electric and Grass-types such as Thundurus, Raikou, Serperior and Breloom.
Zapdos: was slapped on BP chains for being able to handle Flying spam, however it doesn't contributes with boosts outside of Charge. I also think that it is not difficult to wear it down with Stealth Rock.
Sylveon: Sylveon was an amazing Special Wall for BP chains, as it was able to handle some of the very strong Special Attackers in the tier with Calm Mind + Hyper Voice. Without speed boosts, I can say that it shouldn't be difficult to handle it as most teams pack an answer to Clefable. I must say that some of the Taunt users I listed before won't enjoy taking boosted Hyper Voices, but Gengar, Talonflame, Mew, Skarmory and Heatran are still able to counter it with ease though.
Espeon: Espeon has ridiculous defensive stats. If it runs a bulky spread, many relevant threats will outspeed it and deal massive damage. If it runs a fast spread, it will have almost no bulk (especially on the physical side). Choice Scarf Tyranitar and Weavile being popular threats doesn't help it either.
Smeargle: Without speed boosts, you won't have a guaranteed spore (unless you lead with it) and passing Ingrain would be pretty dificult in my opinion. The lack of Quiver Dance is also very frustrating.
Other options:
Scizor-Mega: if the opponent has any faster Fire-type mon, it should be easy to prevent Scizor from doing absolutely anything.
Mr. Mime: too frail to do anything without Speed boosts. Even Special attackers can overwhelm it.
Mew: it is a very strong BP user, I must admit it, but it still loses to Taunt Tornadus-t and Gengar. Pure Psychic-type is still bad (Choice Scarf Tyranitar, Weavile and such).
Celebi: it has 7 weaknesses, which makes it incredible hard to set up (even with Substitute), let alone pass the boost.
Drifblim, Solrock, Mawile: Any decent team would have solid answers to them regardless of anything.
Without speed, none of these Baton Pass users are going to reliably do their job. All these Pokemon have glaring weaknesses, but depending on the match-up the strategy can actually work, so you are probably going to get desperate, but do not forget that, as long as your opponent doesn't have Speed boosts it is either possible to: Taunt, hit hard with a super effective attack, set up alongside (Vaporeon, the premier physical wall would have to take a massive blow before it boosts with Acid Armor, and the same applies to Mew and Sylveon on the Special side - Serperior seems destructive for this very reason).
If you guys really want to avoid facing a speed-less chain, then applying both clauses (Speed Boost + BP ban and limiting to 1 BP user per team) does seem good. The main purpose of my Speed boost clause was to get rid of all forms of Quick Pass through generations (BellyPass, GliscorPass, SmashPass and GeoPass). I'm just saying that it is not worth using a speed-less chain because it would have a very small chance to win even against standard teams. Also please, stop suggesting to ban specific Baton Pass users (just like Smeargle and Scolipede in ORAS) as it does not prevent all forms of Baton Pass. As long as there is no restrictive clause it is possible to build new stuff around any Baton Pass user with access to speed boosting moves, as I showed in my RMT when the clause that limited its use to 3 (and later 1) Pokemon was applied.
Lastly I would like to say that there is one thing that my clause (modified by Zarel) doesn't cover properly:
the ADV trap pass. I don't know this gen very well, but I could notice the lack of Taunt users, as well as Fighting and Bug moves, which means it is pretty hard to stop Umbreon from trapping anything with Mean Look, and then using Taunt + Torment afterwards. If a Special attacker is trapped, then it is pretty easy to bring something like Mr. Mime or Celebi in and set up on it, or, if a physical attacker is trapped, then it should be pretty easy to set up with Vaporeon. But I still I have no idea if it could be an issue because I've barely played this generation.